Bushfire appeal: Mt Evelyn girl raises $2000 by selling paintings to neighbours
Every little bit helps when it comes to helping those affected in the Victorian bushfires. Find out how this Melbourne 10-year-old managed to raise more than $2000 for the appeal.
Outer East
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A young Mt Evelyn artist has raised more than $2000 for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal by selling her paintings to neighbours.
Bella Ferguson, 10, was heartbroken after hearing about the devastation caused by the bushfires and decided to put her creative Christmas gifts to work.
Mum Alysha said her shy daughter started crying when she heard people had lost their homes and wanted to somehow help the cause.
“For Christmas she was given an art easel and canvas, paints and stencils,” Ms Ferguson said.
“She heard about the bushfires one night on the radio while we were eating dinner and started crying. She was so upset.”
That night Bella started on a project to paint and sell the art to raise money for those who had lost their homes and belongings in the fires.
A dozen paintings later, Bella and her mum door knocked neighbours, who were supportive of the cause.
“It blew my mind,” Ms Ferguson said.
She said people paid what they wanted for the paintings and telling Bella one was worth $100.
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Ms Ferguson said she would double the amount Bella raised, and donated $2010 online last weekend.
Bella said she was happy people had bought the paintings because they wanted to donate to the bushfire appeal.
“They said it was lovely what I was doing,” Bella said.